Golf club having shock absorbing feature

ABSTRACT

A golf club golf club having improved shock absorbing features. The golf club has a grip section, a shaft section and a head section. The shaft section has an upper end connecting to the grip section, and a lower end connecting to the head section. The shaft section further has a wave-shaped shock absorbing feature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of sports goods. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of golf clubs.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Various types of golf clubs have been introduced in the past. There have been many approaches to increase the accuracy of hitting direction. One approach is to increase the stiffness of the shaft section of a golf club in order to prevent the golf ball from curving left after hit by the golf club. However, because of the “gear effect” at the instance of hitting, a stiff shaft of the golf club often results in a right-curving ball, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In addition, the hitting impact cannot be adequately dissipated by the stiff shaft of the golf club and is transmitted to the user's wrist and arm, which may results in sports injury after repeated use.

[0005] An alternative approach is to increase the flexibleness of the shaft section of the gold club. This can increase the shock absorbing capacity of the golf club, therefore reducing the risk of sports injury. However, a more flexible shaft will not only result in a shorter hitting distance but also left-curving balls, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to introduce a golf club that offers high impact absorbency, stabled hitting direction and reduction in the risk of sports injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is a unique and novel golf club having improved shock absorbing features which not only offers accurate hitting direction but also reduces the risk of sports injury.

[0008] Described generally, the present invention is a

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[0010] Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a prior art golf club having a traditional stiff shaft, illustrating why it is likely to result in a right-curving ball;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an alternative prior art golf club having a more flexible shaft, illustrating why it is likely to result in a left-curving ball;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention golf club having an improved shock absorbing feature;

[0015]FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation view of improved shock absorbing feature of the shaft section of the present invention golf club

[0016]FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view illustrating the flexibility of the shock absorbing portion of the shaft section of the present invention golf club; and

[0017]FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the present invention golf, illustrating that it provides a stabilized hitting direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown at 10 a present invention golf club having an improved shock absorbing feature. The golf club 10 has a grip section 12, a shaft section 14, and a head section 16. The shaft section 14 is generally elongated cylindrical shaped with an upper end 22 connected to the grip section 12, and a lower end 24 connected to the head section 16. The present invention improved shock absorbing feature 30 is provided on the shaft section 14 of the golf club 10. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the improved shock absorbing feature 30 is located adjacent to the lower end 24 of the shaft section 14.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 4, the shock absorbing feature 30 of the present invention golf club is a wave-shaped portion 32 of the shaft section 14 of the golf club. The wave-shaped portion 32 includes separate circular or continued spiral alternate ridges 34 and grooves 36, which gives the shock absorbing feature 30 the similar appearance and function of a coil spring.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the golf club 10 hits a golf ball 2, the flexibility of the wave-shaped portion 32 of the shaft section 14 of the golf club 10 will provide the desired shock absorbing effect and therefore reduces the risk of sports injury. The impact is absorbed by the wave-shaped portion 32 of the shaft section 14 and therefore will not be transmitted to a user's hands through the shaft section 14 and grip section 12 of the golf club 10.

[0022] In addition, the wave-shaped portion 32 of the shaft section 14 of the golf club 10 will increase the hitting distance because of the spring-like effect of the wave-shaped portion 32. The wave-shaped portion 32 of the shaft section 14 will be deflected in a direction opposite to the hitting direction at the instant moment when the golf club 10 is hitting the golf ball 2, but immediate spring-back in the same direction of the golf ball 2 and exert an spring-like force on the golf ball 2 which causes it to flying further. This is analogous to bouncing a ball with a spring-board which cause the ball to bounce higher or further, as compared to a hard-board.

[0023] Furthermore, the combination of the flexibility of the wave-shaped portion 32 and the unchanged stiffness of the remaining portions of the shaft 14 of the golf club 10 provides a balanced effect which helps to prevent either a right or a left-curving ball. As illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, too much stiffness in the golf club shaft may cause right-curving ball, and too much flexibleness in the golf club shaft may cause left-curving ball. In the present invention golf club, the flexibility of the wave-shaped portion is balanced by the unchanged stiffness of the remaining portions of the shaft, therefore the overall golf club has a controlled flexibility that stabilizes and ensures the accuracy of the hitting direction.

[0024] Defined in detail, the present invention is a

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[0026] Defined broadly, the present invention is a

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[0028] Defined more broadly, the present invention is a

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[0030] Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.

[0031] The present invention has been described in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent laws by providing full public disclosure of at least one of its forms. However, such detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the present invention, or the scope of the patent to be granted. Therefore, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf club, comprising: a. a grip section, a shaft section and a head section; b. said shaft section having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end connecting to said grip section, and said lower end connecting to said head section; and c. said shaft section further comprising a shock absorbing feature.
 2. The golf club in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wave-shaped shock absorbing feature is located at a portion of said shaft section adjacent to said lower end.
 3. The golf club in accordance with claim 1, wherein said shock absorbing feature has a generally wave-shaped configuration.
 4. The golf club in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wave-shaped shock absorbing feature has a generally coil spring appearance.
 5. The golf club in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wave-shaped shock absorbing feature further comprises alternate ridges and grooves.
 6. The golf club in accordance with claim 5, wherein said alternate ridges and grooves are separate circular shaped.
 7. The golf club in accordance with claim 5, wherein said alternate ridges and grooves are continued spiral shaped.
 8. A golf club, comprising: a. a grip section, a shaft section and a head section; b. said shaft section having a generally elongated cylindrical shape with an upper end and a lower end, said upper end connecting to said grip section, and said lower end connecting to said head section; and c. said shaft section further comprising a wave-shaped shock absorbing feature located at a portion of said shaft section adjacent to said lower end.
 9. The golf club in accordance with claim 8, wherein said wave-shaped shock absorbing feature has a generally coil spring appearance.
 10. The golf club in accordance with claim 8, wherein said wave-shaped shock absorbing feature further comprises alternate ridges and grooves.
 11. The golf club in accordance with claim 10, wherein said alternate ridges and grooves are separate circular shaped.
 12. The golf club in accordance with claim 10, wherein said alternate ridges and grooves are continued spiral shaped.
 13. A golf club, comprising: a. a grip section, a shaft section and a head section; b. said shaft section having a generally elongated cylindrical shape with an upper end and a lower end, said upper end connecting to said grip section, and said lower end connecting to said head section; c. said shaft section further comprising a wave-shaped shock absorbing feature located at a portion of said shaft section adjacent to said lower end; and d. said wave-shaped shock absorbing feature having a generally coil spring appearance with alternate ridges and grooves.
 14. The golf club in accordance with claim 13, wherein said alternate ridges and grooves are separate circular shaped.
 15. The golf club in accordance with claim 13, wherein said alternate ridges and grooves are continued spiral shaped. 